14-5-2024 (SEOUL) Thailand has emerged as the single largest source of smuggled illicit drugs seized by South Korean authorities in the previous year, according to government data reported by the Yonhap news agency. The Southeast Asian nation accounted for a staggering 187 kilograms of the total 780 kilograms confiscated in 2022, representing a whopping 24% of the overall haul.
The report, which highlights the severe challenge South Korea faces in combating the influx of illegal narcotics, reveals that the United States was the second-largest source, contributing 20% of the seized drugs. Germany and Laos followed closely behind, accounting for 12% and 9% of the total, respectively.
While the overall quantity of illicit drugs confiscated during the first four months of this year has decreased by 13% compared to the same period in 2022, the number of attempted smuggling incidents has risen alarmingly by 14%, reaching 234 cases, according to figures provided by the Korea Customs Service (KCS).
In response to this escalating threat, South Korean authorities have announced plans to establish a new customs inspection section at Incheon International Airport, the nation’s primary gateway, by the end of next month. This dedicated facility will screen all carry-on luggage and conduct thorough checks on passengers arriving from countries known to produce or serve as transit points for illegal drugs.
Acknowledging the evolving nature of the challenge, a KCS official, quoted by Yonhap, stated, “We’ve tightened border control, which has led to a recent fall in large-scale smuggling attempts. Our focus will also be on detecting small-scale smuggling cases.”
The gravity of the situation was further underscored by a recent arrest in Nong Khai, Thailand, where police apprehended a 70-year-old man and seized 22 kilograms of heroin reportedly destined for South Korea.
